Senate Rejects FG’s $30bn Borrowing Plan, Presidency, DMO Defend Loans

The Senate yesterday threw out President Muhammadu Buhari’s request to raise $29.9 billion in foreign loans over a three-year period.

The request was thrown out without being subjected to debate through a voice vote, after the motion for its consideration was moved by the Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume.

But the belief is that the Senate might have thrown out the request because the executive arm of government has refused to make any commitment on when funds will be disbursed for the constituency projects that are critical to all members of the National Assembly.

Hillary Clinton: Wall Street's favorite enemy

Reuters: November 2, 2016


Hillary Clinton began her presidential campaign by promising to do what it takes to rein in Wall Street.
Boosted by Wall Street's toughest critics, U.S. senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, the Democratic candidate has declared "the deck is still stacked in favor of those at the top" and said she would raise bank fees and tighten banking regulations. She has encouraged regulators to break up too-risky banks.
And yet, Wall Street appears unperturbed by the prospect of a Clinton presidency. In fact, the banking industry has supported Clinton with buckets of cash and stocks have sold off on days when the Clinton campaign stumbles. Privately, bankers say that they trust her to remain a pragmatist who will keep the current regulatory regime laid down by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform legislation passed in 2010.

South Africa's Jacob Zuma backs down on corruption report

Source: BBC Novermber 2, 2016

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has dropped his court bid to block the release of a report into his allegedly improper relationship with businessmen.

Mr Zuma's lawyer informed the High Court in the capital, Pretoria, of the decision, but the reasons are unclear.
Opposition groups are rallying in South Africa's major cities to demand Mr Zuma's resignation.
He has been dogged by corruption allegations for more than a decade, but has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
The report by former anti-corruption chief Thuli Madonsela is believed to contain damning allegations against him, reports the BBC's Milton Nkosi from Pretoria.

Jailed Russian Dissident Pleads for His Life in Letter Home to Wife

Source: THE MOSCOW TIMES November 2, 2016

A harrowing account by a Russian political prisoner of mass beatings and torture at the hands of prison guards is sending shockwaves through the country's human rights community.
In a letter published on Tuesday reportedly written by Ildar Dadin to his wife, he described his incarceration at IK-7 prison in the northwestern town of Segyezha as “hell.”
In December 2015, Dadin became the first person to be convicted under a new Russian law criminalizing “repeated violations of protest laws." He was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison.

ABUJA Nigeria: We Had No Political Prisoners in My Government -Jonathan

Thisday Online: October 31, 2016

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has stated that no Nigerian became a political prisoner or prisoner of conscience for criticising him or his administration.

Jonathan made the remark during his keynote speech, which was delivered weekend at the annual Merit Awards Dinner of the Nigerian Lawyers Association of the United States.

The former president, who urged the U.S.-based lawyers to help preserve democratic institutions, also said diversity was an advantage only when all interest groups in the society feel safe and secure in their day-to-day activities.

Putin Rejects Russian Defense Ministry's Request to End ‘Humanitarian Pause’ in Syria

The Moscow Times, October 31, 2016

President Vladimir Putin has rejected a request by the Russian Defense Ministry to resume the bombing of Aleppo, saying humanitarian relief efforts need more time, according to the RIA Novosti agency. 
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s official spokesperson, told reporters that Russia would also wait to resume airstrikes against Aleppo, so that “our American partners can fulfill previous commitments and promises to demarcate the so-called moderate opposition and terrorist groups.”

Morocco protests: Death of fish seller triggers rare demonstrations

Source: BBC, October 31, 2016

Thousands of Moroccans have held protests in several towns and cities after a fish seller was crushed to death in a refuse lorry trying to retrieve fish confiscated by police.

The death of Mouhcine Fikri in the northern town of Al-Hoceima on Friday drew widespread anger on social media.

FBI obtains warrant to examine Clinton emails

Source: REUTERS October 31, 2016

Federal investigators have secured a warrant to examine newly discovered emails related to Hillary Clinton's private server, a source familiar with the matter said on Sunday, as a prominent Democrat accused FBI Director James Comey of breaking the law by trying to influence the election.
The warrant will allow the Federal Bureau of Investigation to examine the emails to see if they are relevant to its probe of the private email server used for government work by Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, while she was secretary of state from 2009 to 2013.

Trump attacks Clinton on trade, says he should be handed victory

Reuters October 28, 2016

TOLEDO, Ohio; WINSTON SALEM, N.C. U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump criticized Democrat Hillary Clinton on Thursday over her trade policies, saying she would handle trade deals so badly that the country should "just cancel the election" and name him the victor.
Speaking to supporters in Toledo, Ohio, Trump said the North American Free Trade Agreement signed by Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, had led to the outsourcing of thousands of Ohio jobs to Mexico, a practice he vowed to stop if elected president on Nov. 8.
"We should just cancel the election and just give it to Trump, right?" he said. "What are we even having it for? Her policies are so bad."

Putin Distances Himself From Remarks by the Kremlin's ‘Chief Propagandist

The Moscow Times, October 28, 2016

Vladimir Putin has publicly distanced himself from Dmitry Kiselyov, the man known around the world as “the Kremlin’s chief propagandist.”
Earlier today while speaking at the Valdai International Discussion Club, Putin said he doesn’t welcome remarks Kiselyov made more than two years ago, when the pundit reminded viewers on national television that “Russia is the only country in the world capable of turning the United States into radioactive ash.”
The episode aired on March 16, 2014, the day Crimea held a controversial secessionist referendum. Two days later, Moscow formally annexed the peninsula, exacerbating an already deteriorating relationship with the United States.

Buhari to Launch $10bn Niger Delta Reconstruction Fund

Source: THISDAY LIVE October 28

The federal government under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari plans a $10 billion infrastructure development fund for the oil-rich but restive Niger Delta, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said yesterday in Abuja.

“We are launching $10 billion infrastructural rebirth investment programmes in the Niger Delta region. This is not money that is going to come strictly from the federal government. It is going to come from investors, individuals who are ready to do private sector infrastructure, obviously states and federal governments as the case may be and international organisations who have shown interest to help,” he said at the unveiling of the Roadmap for the Petroleum Industry tagged “7 Big Wins to Grow Nigeria’s Oil and Gas.”
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South Sudan: 145 child soldiers released - Unicef

Source: BBC October 28, 2016

Some 145 child soldiers fighting for two rebel groups in South Sudan have been released, Unicef has announced.

The children were recruited by the Cobra Faction and the SPLA In Opposition, two armed groups which have been fighting the government.
They were freed in the eastern region of Pibor and "disarmed and provided with civilian clothes," Unicef said in a statement.
About 16,000 children are still in "armed groups", it says.

Ghana passes law 'to evict presidents'

BBC October 27, 2016

Outgoing presidents in Ghana could be forcibly evicted from their official residences if they fail to move out in time, under new laws.

Presidents and vice-presidents will have to hand over official homes and vehicles at least two weeks before the inauguration of a new leader.
Ministers and other officials will have one month to do the same.
With general elections due on 7 December, the law aims to reduce delays in transferring government property,

Ukraine's ‘Amazing Idiots’ and ‘Crimes Against Humanity’

The Moscowtimes October 27, 2016

On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to Yalta on the contested Crimean peninsula, where he addressed a forum by the All-Russia People's Front, a political movement Putin started in 2011 to coexist with the United Russia political party.
Hours after Putin’s speech, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry sent Moscow a formal letter of protest, claiming that Putin failed to obtain Kiev’s permission to set foot in “Ukrainian territory occupied by the Russian Federation.” This wasn’t the first time Ukraine has sent such a letter, and it’s not likely to be the last.
Moscow has exercised de facto sovereignty over Crimea for more than two years now, and Putin has visited a handful of times. The Moscow Times reviews five major points the president made in his speech today.

Russia to Increase Military Spending While Slashing Welfare Budget

Source: The Moscow Times, October 4, 2016

Russia’s military spending is set to increase by 679 billion rubles ($10 billion) despite the welfare budget decreasing by 375 billion rubles ($6 billion), the Gazeta.ru news website reported Tuesday, citing a source in the government.

The government's finance ministry published a bill of amendments to the welfare budget on Monday, announcing that it will shrink from 13.1 trillion ($210 billion) to 12.7 trillion ($203 billion dollars). This spending cut already includes the government’s decision to give pensioners a one off payment of 5,000 rubles instead of indexing pensions at the rate of inflation.

EU Advises Nigeria to Devalue Naira

Source: THISDAY LIVE, October 4, 2016

A European Union (EU) official, Fillippo Amato, has advised the federal government to devalue the naira as part of measures to tackle the economic recession.

Amato, Counsellor, Head of Trade and Economics Section of EU, made this known in an interview with journalists yesterday. The EU official, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said recession could not be addressed with traditional development tools.

He added the recession was a recent development which was due to a number of factors, including the fall in oil prices and resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta.

US firm fined $400m over African bribery allegations

The US hedge fund Och-Ziff Capital Management Group has been fined more than $400m (£310m) to settle charges connected to the bribery of "high-level government officials in Africa", the US finance watchdog body, the SEC says in a statement.

It adds that "the illicit payments induced the Libyan Investment Authority sovereign wealth fund to invest in Och-Ziff managed funds".

Abuja: FG Working to Boost Patronage of Made-in-Nigeria Products

This day September 30, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said his administration is currently working to improve patronage of locally made goods as well as enhance access to finance for Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs) across the country.

He said efforts were also being made to bridge the gap between skills required by industry and those provided by the educational institutions.
He added that his administration would work with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the other Organised Private Sector (OPS) groups who are key stakeholders in achieving these objectives.

BREAKING: Train hits New Jersey Hoboken station - casualties feared

Source: BBC, September 29, 2016

A commuter train has crashed into a rail station in the city of Hoboken, in the US state of New Jersey.

Eyewitnesses at the scene have reported casualties but the extent of injuries is unclear.
Emergency crews have arrived. Photos on social media show extensive damage to the train carriage and station.
A local radio station anchor said the train went through the station and ticket barriers and "into the reception area".

Why the Fall of Aleppo Won’t End Syrian War, Only Change It

The Moscow Times September 29, 2016

Not so long ago, when Aleppo was only the subject of ground attacks, things were simpler. Mortars were thrown. People died, but they died suddenly.
Not so today. In today’s Aleppo, the only frontline is the sky. You have time to think, you have time to watch. After the first airstrike, there is always a second. A bomb with your name on it, waiting for you to rush out and try to dig your begging friends and family out of the rubble.
Those who survive in Aleppo can hardly be described as the lucky ones. They are the guilty ones. They are the walking dead.

Israel's Peres won Nobel prize but his Mideast peace dream remained elusive

Source: REUTERS, September 28, 2016


Shimon Peres, who died on Wednesday at the age of 93, never realized his vision of a new Middle East built upon a 1993 interim peace deal he helped shape with the Palestinians.
But Israel's elder statesman won world acclaim and a Nobel prize as a symbol of hope in a region long plagued by war fueled by deep religious and political divisions.
Peres was hospitalized following a stroke two weeks ago and his condition had improved before a sudden deterioration on Tuesday, doctors said. In announcing his passing, family members said that he did not suffer pain, and as a last act after death, he donated his corneas for transplant.

Tanzania Magufuli fires officials over 'fake' earthquake account

Source: BBC, September 28, 2016

anzania's president has sacked two senior officials for opening a fake account to siphon money from an earthquake fund, his office has said.
An accountant had been suspended for being part of the plan to take money collected for earthquake victims, John Magufuli's office added in a statement.
At least 16 people died and 200 were wounded in the 10 September earthquake in the northern Kagera region.

Russian Orthodox Church Defends Anti-Abortion Petition

The Moscow Times, September 28, 2016

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church has defended his support for a total ban on abortion and contraception as "not political." 

Patriarch Kirill signed a petition calling for the ban on Tuesday, the Interfax news agency reported Tuesday.

The petition, which was compiled by protest groups “For Life” and “Orthodox Volunteers,”  had been approved by a patriarchal commission on family, motherhood and children, the church said in a statement.

Buhari Not Keen on Asset Sale, For Soludo, It Will be a Historic Mistake

 Source: Thisdaylive September 27, 2016

As the debate over the proposed sale of national assets rages, THISDAY can exclusively confirm that President Muhammadu Buhari is not in the least bit keen on the disposal of Nigeria’s strategic assets as a means of shoring up foreign exchange reserves and/or ending the economic recession in the country.

Buhari’s position which he has kept very close to his chest, came to light just as a former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, faulted the proposal that has been flaunted by members of the federal government’s Economic Management Team (EMT) and has received the blessing of the National Economic Council (NEC) and Senate President Bukola Saraki, among others, saying such a hasty auction of national assets could only benefit a privileged few with cash and access, while jeopardising Nigeria’s long-term economic interest.

Ethiopian deaths in fire at prison 'holding Oromo protesters'

BBC, September 5, 2016.

An unknown number of inmates have died after a fire at an Ethiopian prison where prominent anti-government protesters are reportedly being held.

Sustained gunfire could be heard coming from Qilinto prison, on the outskirts of the capital Addis Ababa, after the fire broke out, local media reported.

Putin, Obama Discuss Ukraine on the Sidelines of G20 Summit

The Moscowtimes, September 5, 2016

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China’s city of Hangzhou, international news outlets reported Monday.

Following the meeting, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists that the two delegations had mainly discussed Syria as well as Ukraine, the Interfax news agency reported Monday.

North Korea fires three ballistic missiles as G20 leaders meet in China

Reuters, September 5, 2016.

North Korea fired three ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast on Monday, South Korea's military said, as the leaders of the Group of 20 major economies held a summit in China, the North's main diplomatic ally.

Hermine hammers Florida, leaving thousands without power

Reuters, September 2, 2016

Wind and rain from Hurricane Hermine slammed Florida's northern Gulf Coast before it weakened to a tropical storm and ploughed its way overland toward the Atlantic Coast on Friday.

Hermine made landfall early on Friday, bringing heavy rains and packing winds of 80 mph (130 km/h), causing damage and leaving tens of thousands of households without power along Florida's Gulf Coast.

The Final Encounter: Obama and Putin to Meet at G20 Summit

The Moscowtimes, September 2, 2016

Russian President Vladimir Putin heads to the G20 summit in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 4 to lock in his geopolitical gains in a private meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama before the clock runs out for the Obama administration.

SpaceX rocket explodes at Cape Canaveral ahead of launch

BBC September 2, 2016

A rocket operated by the aerospace company SpaceX has exploded on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral where it was being test-fired ahead of a launch.

The force of the blast shook buildings several miles away.

SpaceX said "an anomaly" had occurred while the rocket was being loaded with fuel. No-one was injured, it said.

The rocket's payload, an Israeli-built communications satellite for Facebook due to launch on Saturday, was also destroyed, it added.

Russian Police Arrest Mothers, Widows and Journalists Attending Beslan Memorial Event

The Moscowtimes, September 1, 2016

Russian police have detained grieving relatives at an event commemorating the Beslan school massacre after they criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Novaya Gazeta newspaper reported Thursday.

Five women who lost relatives in the tragedy were detained after they removed their jackets to reveal t-shirts with the slogan “Putin - Butcher of Beslan,” the newspaper reported.

Zuckerberg Pledges Support for Nigerian Tech Startups, SMEs

Thisday live, September 1, 2016

The founder and Chief Executive Officer of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, wednesday assured Nigerian technology startups and the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria of Facebook’s support that will enhance easy access and connectivity to the internet.

Zuckerberg, who made the pledge in Lagos while addressing technology startups on the second day of his visit to Nigeria, said Nigerian, which is the largest African market for Facebook, currently has 18 million people that are connected to Facebook, while the global figure of Facebook account is close to two billion people.

Some Hispanic Trump backers pull support after immigration speech leftright 8/8leftright

Rueters, September 1, 2016

Some Hispanic backers of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump pulled their support after he stood by his hardline immigration stance and said anyone in the United States illegally would be subject to deportation if he were president.

Alfonso Aguilar, president of the Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles advocacy group, said on Thursday he felt "disappointed and misled" by a fiery Trump speech in Phoenix, Arizona on Wednesday that dashed the hopes of conservative Latinos that the businessman would soften his views on immigration.

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Chibok Families to Buhari: Bring Back Our Girls or Resign

Thisday Live, August 26, 2016

Relatives of the abducted Chibok girls have accused the federal government of abandoning their daughters to suffer in captivity, and have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign if he cannot rescue the girls.

The relatives spoke yesterday in Abuja after they were stopped by security operatives from reaching the Aso Rock presidential villa to see the president.

Judge orders search of new Clinton emails for release by September 13

Reuters, August 26, 2016

A U.S. judge ordered the State Department on Thursday to release by Sept. 13 any emails it finds between Hillary Clinton and the White House from the week of the 2012 attack in Benghazi, Libya, among the thousands of additional emails uncovered by federal investigators.

Putin's Reported Son-in-Law Among Russia's Wealthiest

The Moscowtimes, August 26, 2016

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reported son-in-law is among Russia’s wealthiest families, the Forbes Russia magazine revealed on Thursday. 

The family of Kirill Shamalov, the man rumored to have married Putin’s youngest daughter, entered Russia's top 10 wealthiest clans for the first time this year, with an estimated net value of $2.4 billion.

Kerry's visit to Nigeria discriminatory, says CAN

Source: SitiBe, August 26, 2016.

The President of the Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN), Rev. Supo Ayokunle, has faulted the recent visit to Nigeria by United States Secretary of State, John Kerry.

He described it as discriminatory and aimed at furthering agenda by the Federal Government to persecute the country’s Christians.

Iran vessels make 'high speed intercept' of U.S. ship: U.S. official

Reuters, August 25, 2016.

Four of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vessels "harassed" a U.S. warship on Tuesday near the Strait of Hormuz, a U.S. defense official said, amid Washington's concerns about Iran's posture in the Gulf and in the Syrian civil war.

Made in China: How Russia Is Teaching Beijing to Play Hockey

The Moscowtimes, August 25, 2016.

After three straight preseason losses, Beijing’s Red Star won their first match in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Barely six weeks old, they toppled Kazakhstan’s Barys Astana 3-1, prompting a team-to-team fight. Three days later, when the two teams met again, it was clear that a new KHL rivalry has been born.

It was the first game of Kazakhstan’s President’s Cup—a traditional curtain-raiser for the KHL season in late August. Tension between the teams was apparent within the first three minutes. Astana player Dmitry Rypsayev tried to single-handedly fight the entire Red Star roster, and saw some success.

Kenya athletes angry at Rio shanty accommodation

BBC, August 25, 2016.

Kenyan athletes are stranded in a Rio shanty town where gunshots can be heard, following the closure of the Olympic village, the team captain says.

Officials delayed their return home as they looked for a "cheap flight", said Wesley Korir, a marathon runner who is also an independent MP.

Nigerian arrested for naming dog after President Buhari

BBC, August, 24, 2016

A Nigerian man who named his dog after President Muhammadu Buhari and painted the name on both sides of the dog was arrested for breach of the peace.

Joe Fortemose Chinakwe walked Buhari in an area where support for the president was high, police said.

At least 38 dead in Italian earthquake: civil protection

REUTERS, August 24, 2016

At least 38 people died in a powerful earthquake that hit central Italy early on Wednesday, a spokeswoman for the civil protection department said.

Germany Debates Putting Troops on Streets to Protect Against ISIS

NBC News, August 24, 2016

MAINZ, Germany — A week-long spate of violent attacks this summer — including two involving migrants — has triggered debate about potentially deploying troops on Germany's streets for the first time since World War II.

A July 18 ax and knife attack by an ISIS-inspired 17-year-old Afghan asylum-seeker aboard a train near Wuerzburg left five people seriously injured. It also raised questions about whether new security measures were needed in Germany.

Clinton says U.S. presidential election an 'alternative reality'

 Source: REUTERS August 23, 2016

Democrat Hillary Clinton said on a late-night television show on Monday that sometimes she feels she is in an “alternative universe” in the U.S. presidential race against Republican Donald Trump.
“I do feel sometimes like this campaign has entered into an alternative universe,” Clinton said on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live. “I have to step into the alternative reality, answer questions about am I alive, how much longer will I be alive.”

Boko Haram crisis: Nigeria air strike 'kills commanders'

Source: BBC August 22, 2016

 

Nigeria's army says it has killed several commanders of the Islamist group Boko Haram in an air strike and seriously wounded its disputed leader.

An army spokesman told the BBC's Hausa service that Abubakar Shekau's shoulder was badly injured in the strike on Friday in north-eastern Borno state.
There has been no independent confirmation of the strike.
Claims by the army that it has killed Shekau have proven to be false on at least five previous occasions.
These reports should therefore be treated with caution, says the BBC's Africa Security correspondent Tomi Oladipo.

On raucous opening night, Democratic stars make a pitch for Clinton

Source: REUTERS 

The Democratic Party's deep divisions were on full display on a raucous first day of its convention on Monday, with Bernie Sanders portraying Hillary Clinton as a fellow soldier in his fight for economic equality while his supporters booed the mere mention of her name.On a night designed to showcase party unity, Sanders supporters repeatedly disrupted convention proceedings, chanting for him and jeering Clinton supporters.
But by the end of the night, Sanders, liberal favorite U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and first lady Michelle Obama offered stirring endorsements of Clinton as the party tried to push through the discord and find common ground.

NIGERIA: Again Niger Delta Avengers Blasts NNPC Gas Pipeline in Akwa Ibom

Source: THISDAY LIVE

Unrelenting Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) on Sunday night blasted another gas pipeline operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) apparently in reaction to its being labelled as a band of criminals by the Federal Government.

The militant group claiming responsibility for a series of bombings in the Niger Delta region, particularly in Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State, said on Monday that the attack was executed about 11.30p.m on Sunday.

Mogadishu attack: Seven killed in airport blasts

Source: BBC

At least seven people have been killed in two bomb attacks near the main entrance of the airport in Mogadishu, Somali police have said.

Thick smoke could be seen rising from the area, where there is also a base for African Union (AU) peacekeepers.
Local journalists said at least one of the blasts was detonated by a suicide attacker in a vehicle near a checkpoint.
Those killed were believe to include security guards at the checkpoint.

NIGERIA: Sokoto Seeks to Benefit from Kuwait’s $1b Devt Fund

July 24, 2016

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Source: THISDAY LIVE

As part of efforts to boost educational, cultural and business ties with the State of Kuwait, Sokoto government has said it is making concerted efforts to benefit from the Arab country’s $1 billion development fund set aside for intervention in critical social sectors in sub-Saharan Africa.

Making this known when he visited the Kuwait Embassy in Abuja, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said since setting aside the fund in 2013 to be expended within a five year circle, significant number of projects have been executed by the Kuwait government in Africa.

“We are making presentations to benefit from the fund and use the proceeds to intervene in sectors like health, education, water supply and women development. We are mindful of the fact that large chunk of it has been accessed by sister African countries, but we are determined to ensure our people are not left behind in this important intervention.

NIGERIA: Sokoto Seeks to Benefit from Kuwait’s $1b Devt Fund

July 24, 2016

0

623

Source: THISDAY LIVE

As part of efforts to boost educational, cultural and business ties with the State of Kuwait, Sokoto government has said it is making concerted efforts to benefit from the Arab country’s $1 billion development fund set aside for intervention in critical social sectors in sub-Saharan Africa.

Making this known when he visited the Kuwait Embassy in Abuja, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said since setting aside the fund in 2013 to be expended within a five year circle, significant number of projects have been executed by the Kuwait government in Africa.

“We are making presentations to benefit from the fund and use the proceeds to intervene in sectors like health, education, water supply and women development. We are mindful of the fact that large chunk of it has been accessed by sister African countries, but we are determined to ensure our people are not left behind in this important intervention.

Turkish president gains upper hand in power struggle

 Source: REUTERS

At the crossroads between a divided Europe and a convulsed Middle East, Turkey is caught in a power struggle between former Islamist allies which is shaking democratic institutions and raises questions about its future path.
Since a failed coup on July 15, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) founded by President Tayyip Erdogan has gained the upper hand in its battle with clandestine networks in the military, judiciary and bureaucracy loyal to U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen.
This fight to the bitter end has alarmed the West and unsettled the country of 80 million, which borders the chaos in Iraq and Syria and is a Western ally against Islamic State.
Erdogan accuses Gulen of masterminding the attempted coup by a faction within the military and has rounded up more than 60,000 people in an operation which he hopes will cleanse Turkey of what he calls the Gulenist "virus".

Nigeria's Muslims applaud lifting of hijab ban in Lagos schools

Source: BBC

A leading Muslim group in Nigeria has welcomed a court ruling lifting the ban on girls wearing the headscarf in government schools in Lagos state.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MRC) said the Lagos Court of Appeal's ruling was a victory for the rule of law.
The judges said the ban violated the religious rights of Muslim girls, overturning a lower court's ruling.
Girls had been barred from wearing the headscarf, or hijab, because it was not part of school uniforms.
The state government has not yet commented on whether it intends to challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court.

BREAKING: Rio Olympics 2016: Russia not given blanket ban by IOC

 Source: BBC

Russia will not receive a blanket ban from Rio 2016 following the country's doping scandal.

The International Olympic Committee will leave it up to individual sport's governing bodies to decide if Russian competitors are clean and should be allowed to take part.
The decision follows a report in which Canadian law professor Richard McLaren said Russia operated a state-sponsored doping programme from 2011 to 2015.
The Rio Games start on 5 August.

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Poll: Nigerians Rating of Buhari Nose-dives to 39%

Source: THISDAY LIVE

The latest poll conducted by NOIPolls, has revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval rating for the month of June has nose-dived to 39 percent from the 48 percent he got in May.

The rating which was made available to the media, in Abuja, represents the lowest approval rating started 13 months ago. His rating was highest in October, peaking at 80 percent.

The investigators said: “This latest score represents a 9-point decline when compared to the rating in May which stood at 48 percent.”

First date: UK's May to meet Germany's Merkel to talk Brexit

Source: CNBC

The U.K.'s new Prime Minister Theresa May is heading to Berlin on Wednesday afternoon for a working dinner with German Chancellor Angela Merkel with the unpalatable issue of Brexit expected to be the dish of the day.
It will be May's first overseas trip since becoming prime minister last week after a tumultuous chain of events following the U.K. decision in June to leave the European Union (EU). She is also due to travel to Paris on Thursday for talks with French President Francois Hollande.

 May's election was applauded as she is widely seen as a "safe pair of hands" and, like Merkel, she is known for her cool demeanor and pragmatic approach to government. She has certainly wasted no time in putting her mark on the U.K's government, strategically appointing a number of "remain" and "leave" politicians to prominent positions in the cabinet.

Zambia police tear gas opposition leader Mwamba's home

Source: BBC

Zambian police have fired tear gas and made 28 arrests during a raid on the home of opposition vice-presidential candidate Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba.

Officers were looking for people they allege had vandalised election posters and fled to the property.
A police spokesman said petrol bombs were also found, but Mr Mwamba's party has said they were planted.

Trump could seek new law to purge government of Obama appointees

Source: REUTERS

If he wins the presidency, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump would seek to purge the federal government of officials appointed by Democratic President Barack Obama and could ask Congress to pass legislation making it easier to fire public workers, Trump ally, Chris Christie, said on Tuesday.
Christie, who is governor of New Jersey and leads Trump's White House transition team, said the campaign was drawing up a list of federal government employees to fire if Trump defeats Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the Nov. 8 presidential election.
“As you know from his other career, Donald likes to fire people,” Christie told a closed-door meeting with dozens of donors at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, according to an audio recording obtained by Reuters and two participants in the meeting.
Christie was referring to Trump's starring role in the long-running television show "The Apprentice," where his catch-phrase was "You're fired!"

Nigerian Surgeon Discovers Possible Cure for Malaria

Source: THISDAY LIVE

The adult human facial sebum (oil) contains potent mosquito repellent properties, says a Nigerian facial surgeon, Dr. Bayo Aluko-Olokun.
Aluko-Olokun, a facial surgeon at the Department of Facial Surgery, National Hospital, Abuja, made this known yesterday in Abuja.

The expert said he made the discovery after conducting studies at the National Post Graduate Medical College of Nigeria, Lagos, in 2015, by testing the reaction of life mosquitoes to sebum-coated paper, P.M. News reported yesterday.
According to him, he applied the sebum to a piece of paper and placed it beside another with no substance applied in a transparent 70ml glass bottle.

“Evidence of mosquito bite is often seen on the face of children in the third world. This is rarely seen in adults as adults produce copious facial skin sebum in contradistinction to children.
“Five live mosquitoes were introduced into the bottle and the highest number of mosquitoes standing on each piece of paper at any point in time was noted over 50 minutes.

IEA warns that oil demand is ebbing while supply remains at ‘elevated levels’

Source: CNBC

There are warning signs that global oil demand is ebbing while oil stocks remain at "elevated levels," threatening a rebalancing act in oil markets, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned on Wednesday.
With oil prices rising since the lows seen at the start of the year, hopes have risen that a "balancing act" between supply and demand in oil markets was finally taking place after two years of declining prices due to a supply glut.
But the IEA warned in its latest report that there were warning signs that demand momentum could be ebbing while oil stocks remain high.

Moscow Imam's Arrest Risks Possible Protests

Source: THE MOSCOW TIMES

The July 12 arrest of Moscow imam Makhmut Velitov on charges of publicly justifying terrorism marked a new first for Russian authorities.
While indicting Islamic clerics for supporting terrorism and inciting ethnic hatred is common practice in the North Caucasus and Volga republics, Velitov's arrest was the first time that an imam from one of Moscow’s largest mosques — the Yardyam mosque in the north of the city — has been detained by police.
Velitov was charged with supporting the actions of a member of the Hizb ut-Tahrir organization. The Russian Supreme Court classified Hizb-ut-Tahrir as a terrorist organization in September 2003 and banned its activities in the country.

Nigeria's Muhammadu Buhari sends task force to Zamfara

Source: BBC

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a special military task force to combat cattle rustlers in the north-western state of Zamfara.

The armed gangs are based in a forest, from where they raid nearby villages.
Defence Minister Mansur Dan Ali told the BBC that about 1,000 troops would be deployed immediately, with more would joining later.

Cleveland keeping low police profile for Republican convention

Source: REUTERS

As dozens of Black Lives Matter protesters chanted: "No justice, no peace!" in central Cleveland on Monday, they faced down a wall of police - on bicycles, dressed in polo shirts and shorts.
It was the kind of police presence the organizers of next week's Republican National Convention in Cleveland have long had in mind - respectful of free speech, and orderly. No arrests were made.
Elsewhere in the United States, tensions are high since last week's deadly attack on police in Dallas, creating scenes like the one in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where police in riot gear confronted a woman standing calmly in a flowing dress, an image captured in a photograph that has attracted worldwide attention.
But in Cleveland, where the four-day Republican convention begins on Monday, police are committed to a low profile, avoiding the militarized presence that has become common in recent years since police across the country received free war surplus equipment from the Pentagon.

Poroshenko Says Ukraine Has Fulfilled Minsk Agreements

Source: THE MOSCOWTIMES

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced on Monday that Kiev has fully implemented the Minsk agreements, the RBC news agency reported.
The Ukrainian side has fulfilled 95 percent of the political obligations and 100 percent of the security requirements in the agreements, Poroshenko was quoted as saying by Interfax Ukraine during a news conference which followed his talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Sanctions against Russia were prolonged this month by EU leaders until January 2017 as Moscow is considered guilty of failing to comply with the terms of the agreements.
The Russian authorities claim that Ukraine is violating the agreements.